Q: Is Internship considered an elective?
A: Yes, each class period you have associated with Internship is considered a CTE elective.
Q: How can I tell if I’m getting 1 or 2 credits for the program?
A: You earn 1 credit for each period in your schedule associated with Internship. As a senior, you may have Internship during 1st period and 2nd period or 7th and 8th period.
Q: Do you find me a job?
A: No. Students are responsible for securing their own employment; however, I help when I can. Often times I am contacted by employers looking for students to fill part-time positions. When that happens, I announce details in class and post the same in our Google Classroom course. I also connect with various employers over the summer and share my findings as well.
Q: Can I take Internship for only a semester?
A: Yes, you can take Internship for only a semester. This works well for those students who do a Fall or Spring Sport. Once you sport is finished, you can leave school to work at a job. Plan ahead and fill out the Internship Application so you are accepted and have Internship on your schedule in advance.
Q: Do I have to have a job the first day of school?
A: No. While it’s best, it’s not required. The job deadline is the 5th school day. If you are not employed on that date, you will be removed from the program, which means a schedule changed and alternate courses selected to replace all the Career Prep class periods.
Q: What if I get fired or want to change jobs?
A: Both happen... In either scenario, you have 2 weeks to secure new employment. If you remain unemployed after 2 weeks, you will be removed from program and schedule changed.
Q: What types of jobs qualify for the program and what jobs aren’t allowed?
A: Majority of part-time jobs qualify for the program. It’s easier to state what jobs do NOT qualify. Students can not be a nanny or personal assistant, or a delivery driver (for a business or Uber, Lyft, Door Dash, etc.). They also can not be self-employed.
Q: How do I get graded for working?
A: You will receive 1 grade each quarter for the program. It is a combination of the classroom assignments, plus a quarterly work evaluation submitted by your manager that results in a numerical grade.
Q: Do I have to have a car?
A: No, but you must have reliable transportation that enables you to leave campus each day when your classes are over, as well as allow you to safely go to and from work. Many students don’t drive and are able to carpool with other Internship students, some have parents pick them up and some use ride services such as Uber and Lyft.
Q: Can I switch from 1 period of work release to 2?
A: Yes. That is often the case for seniors during the second semester. If you find you have an open class period, once all your required courses are accounted for, I will approve switching to 2 period of work release; however, with that comes an increase in your weekly number of required work hours. It increases from 10 hours/week with 1 period of work early release, to 15 hours/week when you have 2 periods of work early release.
Q: Do I have to go directly to work from school every day
A: No, make your own schedule just must meet minimum hours each week (Sunday-Saturday).
Q: What are the required number of hours I have to work every week?
A: Your work requirement is 10-12 hours per week. If you have work early release for 2 class periods your work requirement is 15-20 hours per week.
Q: Do I have to attend the classroom portion in order to get the work early release periods?
A: Yes. Requirements are to meet in person for class 1 hour a week. Currently we meet on Tuesdays during 1st or 8th period.
Q: Can multiple jobs count towards my weekly hours?
A: Yes. One job must enable you to achieve the minimum weekly hours. Many students have more than one job, but for purposes of the program, one will be the “job of record”.
Q: How will you know what hours I work?
A: You will update a time card in class making weekly entries into our online program. You will also upload copies of your time sheets for verification. I also check with managers on occasion to verify hours worked as needed.
Q: Do I have to be paid for my "job"?
A: No. PHS allows students into the program who have unpaid internships, as well as those who volunteer consistently at regularly scheduled times each week that meet the work hour requirement.
Q: Can I have early release and late arrival?
A: Yes. PHS allows a total of 2 “away” periods in your schedule. That can be late arrival and then work early release for 7th. You can not have double early release plus late arrival.
Q: When can I start leaving early?
A: On the first day of school! Your schedule will reflect your work release periods and I supply students with a “Career Prep pass” that displays your early release time keep with their ID badge to show as proof if you are ever questioned by campus staff, another teacher, or Administration.
Q: Do I have to stay at school on the days I don’t work?
A: No. You are required to leave campus daily when your classes finish; however, you may find an occasion that you need to stay awhile to make-up missed work, meet with your counselor, etc. and that is fine. You whereabouts must be accounted for if you are on campus after your release time.